Help Guide – Funded Nursery Places at YMCA Lincolnshire

YMCA Lincolnshire offers high-quality childcare and early education services, and they participate in government-funded nursery schemes to help parents access affordable care. This guide provides all the information you need about funded nursery places at YMCA Lincolnshire, including eligibility, types of funding, how to apply, and what is covered.

Types of Funded Nursery Places

There are several types of funded places available in the UK, which vary by age and eligibility:

  1. 15 Hours of Free Childcare (Standard)
  • Eligibility: All children aged 3 and 4 years old.
  • Details: Your child is entitled to 15 hours of free early education per week for 38 weeks a year. This can be spread across up to 5 days.
  1. 15 Hours of Free Childcare (Stretched)
  • Eligibility: All children aged 3 and 4 years old.
  • Details: Your child is entitled to 12 hours of free early education per week for 47.5 weeks a year. This can be spread across up to 5 days.
  1. 30 Hours of Free Childcare (Extended)
  • Eligibility: Available for working parents or carers of 3 and 4-year-old children.
  • Details: Your child is entitled to 30 hours of free early education per week for 38 weeks a year. This can be spread across up to 5 days.
  1. 30 Hours of Free Childcare (Stretched Extended)
  • Eligibility: Available for working parents or carers of 3 and 4-year-old children.
  • Details: Your child is entitled to 24 hours of free early education per week for 47.5 weeks a year. This can be spread across up to 5 days.
  1. 2-Year-Old Funding
  • Eligibility: Available to children from age 2 who meet certain criteria, such as children from low-income families, children with special educational needs, or those in care.
  • Details: Your child may be eligible for 15 hours of free childcare each week. If you’re unsure if your child qualifies, please contact YMCA Lincolnshire for more information.
  1. 9 Month to 2-Year-Old Funding (Working Parents)
  • Eligibility: Available to children from the term after they turn 9 months until they start school. More details can be found on the Childcare Choices website, here - Eligibility | Childcare Choices
  • Details: 15 hours of free childcare per week over 38 weeks or 12 hours of free childcare per week over 47.5 weeks. This funding can be combined with the standard entitlement for 3- and 4-year-olds to make up 30 hours.
  1. Special Educational Needs (SEN) Funding
  • Eligibility: If your child has special educational needs or a disability, they may be eligible for additional funding.
  • Details: This funding can be used for extra support or one-on-one care to ensure that your child receives the best possible educational experience. Details of these funding options can be found here - Get extra funding for your early years provider - GOV.UK

 

How to Apply for Funded Nursery Places at YMCA Lincolnshire

The process for applying for a funded nursery place at YMCA Lincolnshire is simple and straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

  • For 2-Year-Old Funding: You must meet specific criteria to qualify for 15 hours of free childcare. Visit the local council website or use the government’s online tool to check eligibility.
  • For 3- and 4-Year-Olds: All children in this age group are eligible for 15 hours per week of free childcare, and many are also eligible for 30 hours of free childcare (if parents meet the work-based eligibility requirements). The Childcare Choices website Homepage | Childcare Choices can be used for guidance around eligibility.

Step 2: Apply for the Funding

  • For 2-Year-Olds: Apply online through your local authority or the government’s website.
  • For 3- and 4-Year-Olds: If your hid is eligible for 30 hours of free childcare, apply through the government’s Childcare Choices website and receive an eligibility code.

Step 3: Contact YMCA Lincolnshire

Once you have confirmed your eligibility and received the necessary codes (for 30 hours), contact YMCA Lincolnshire to arrange a place. Provide them with the relevant details (eligibility code, preferred hours, etc.), and they will confirm availability.

Step 4: Confirm Your Nursery Place

Once a place is confirmed, YMCA Lincolnshire will guide you through any additional steps, such as completing registration forms or discussing your child’s care schedule.

 

Important Things to Remember

  • Flexible Hours: The 15- and 30-hours funding can be spread across the week depending on your family’s need and the availability at YMCA Lincolnshire provisions. Contact the nursery directly to discuss scheduling options.
  • Term Time Only: Most funded hours are provided for 38 weeks a year (term time only). Some additional funding options may be available to spread the hours across the whole year.
  • Additional Hours: If you need more childcare hours than the funded place provides, YCMA Lincolnshire offers additional hours at standard rates.
  • 30-Hour Funding: Parents must reconfirm eligibility for the 430 hours of free childcare every three months. Ensure that your details remain up-todate through the Childcare Choices website.

 

Contact YMCA Lincolnshire

For more information or assistance with applying for funded nursery places, you can contact YMCA Lincolnshire directly:

Mini Movers Daycare:

e: childcare@lincsymca.co.uk

t: 07803 858773

Woodlands Daycare:

e: woodlands@lincsymca.co.uk

t: 01522 685499

Beginnings Daycare:

e: beginnings@lincsymca.co.uk

t: 01427 679806

Honeypot Preschool:

e: honeypot@lincsymca.co.uk

t: 01427 679693

YMCA Lincolnshire’s early years education team are available to guide you through the application process and help you find the best solution for your childcare needs.

 

Additional Resources